Staff Pick

Never have I been more excited for a sequel to be released than after I read Hunger Games, and thankfully, Suzanne Collins delivered. I burned through Catching Fire like it was on fire, hurtling through the revelations and heart-stopping twist. I am proud to say that the sequel is better than the first.Recommended by Jill S., Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

Review:

"Fresh from their improbable victory in the annual Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta get to enjoy the spoils only briefly before they must partake in a Capitol-sponsored victory tour. But trouble is brewing — President Snow tells Katniss directly he won't stand for being outsmarted, and she overhears rumbles of uprisings in Panem's districts. Before long it's time for the next round of games, and because it's the 75th anniversary of the competition, something out of the ordinary is in order. If this second installment spends too much time recapping events from book one, it doesn't disappoint when it segues into the pulse-pounding action readers have come to expect. Characters from the previous volume reappear to good effect: Katniss's stylist, Cinna, proves he's about more than fashion; Haymitch becomes more dimensional. But the star remains Katniss, whose bravery, honesty and wry cynicism carry the narrative. (About her staff of beauticians she quips: 'They never get up before noon unless there's some sort of national emergency, like my leg hair.') Collins has also created an exquisitely tense romantic triangle for her heroine. Forget Edward and Jacob: by book's end (and it's a cliffhanger), readers will be picking sides — Peeta or Gale? Ages 12 — up. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"Beyond the expert world building, the acute social commentary and the large cast of fully realized characters, there's action, intrigue, romance and some amount of hope in a story readers will find completely engrossing." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Review:

"Collins' crystalline, unadorned prose provides an open window to perfect pacing and electrifying world building....Honestly, this book only needs to be good enough to satisfy its legions of fans. Fortunately, it's great." Booklist (starred review)

Synopsis:

New York Times-bestselling author Collins continues the amazing story of Katniss Everdeen, in this second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy.

Synopsis:

Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with Peeta Mellark. But it had been a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion.

Video

About the Author

Suzanne Collins's debut novel Gregor the Overlander, the first book in the Underland Chronicles, received wide praise both in the United States and abroad. The series has been a New York Times bestseller and received numerous accolades. Also a writer for children's television, Suzanne lives with her family in Connecticut.

What Our Readers Are Saying

Average customer rating based on 37 comments:

Kacey, December 22, 2013 (view all comments by Kacey)
Overall "Catching Fire" is an exciting sequel to the chart-topping, smash hit, literary success called "The Hunger Games". The overall premise of the second book was highly predictable causing the first half of the book to be quite bland. However, it picks up in the second half adding new plot lines with unexpected twists and turns. If you haven't read the first book, hurry up and catch up so you can read this one. Plus, now it's a movie that I've heard is pretty good.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No(10 of 20 readers found this comment helpful)

methebolt, January 1, 2013 (view all comments by methebolt)
This is the best book of the much-vaunted Hunger Games trilogy. Suzanne Collins wrote a masterpiece here, bringing back Katniss, the Girl on Fire, and her band of people who are bound to her vicious and conniving personality. One might ask, "What makes us keep coming back to this story about a post-apocalyptic world where teenagers are forced to fight to the death to please a bloodthirsty Capitol?" The rich and vibrant writing style of Collins is what makes me come back. The lure of the suprise that is sure to come is strong too. Trust me, you won't believe your eyes.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No(12 of 24 readers found this comment helpful)

BrUsE LeE, November 28, 2012 (view all comments by BrUsE LeE)
My first impressions on this book was great I relly liked this book it was as if not better as the first book but not as good as the last book.My favorit part was tords the middle of the book were a guy was climing up steps to give katniss flower and he got shot. This part was really moving for me just because he was just giving her flowers thats it. So i give this book a * * * * out of * * * * * stars.I would tell anyone to read this book. It was that good this book was action,romance,suspense and AWESOMENESS.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No(11 of 20 readers found this comment helpful)

Never have I been more excited for a sequel to be released than after I read Hunger Games, and thankfully, Suzanne Collins delivered. I burned through Catching Fire like it was on fire, hurtling through the revelations and heart-stopping twist. I am proud to say that the sequel is better than the first.

by Jill S.

"Publishers Weekly Review"
by Publishers Weekly,
"Fresh from their improbable victory in the annual Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta get to enjoy the spoils only briefly before they must partake in a Capitol-sponsored victory tour. But trouble is brewing — President Snow tells Katniss directly he won't stand for being outsmarted, and she overhears rumbles of uprisings in Panem's districts. Before long it's time for the next round of games, and because it's the 75th anniversary of the competition, something out of the ordinary is in order. If this second installment spends too much time recapping events from book one, it doesn't disappoint when it segues into the pulse-pounding action readers have come to expect. Characters from the previous volume reappear to good effect: Katniss's stylist, Cinna, proves he's about more than fashion; Haymitch becomes more dimensional. But the star remains Katniss, whose bravery, honesty and wry cynicism carry the narrative. (About her staff of beauticians she quips: 'They never get up before noon unless there's some sort of national emergency, like my leg hair.') Collins has also created an exquisitely tense romantic triangle for her heroine. Forget Edward and Jacob: by book's end (and it's a cliffhanger), readers will be picking sides — Peeta or Gale? Ages 12 — up. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Review"
by Kirkus Reviews (starred review),
"Beyond the expert world building, the acute social commentary and the large cast of fully realized characters, there's action, intrigue, romance and some amount of hope in a story readers will find completely engrossing."

"Review"
by Booklist (starred review),
"Collins' crystalline, unadorned prose provides an open window to perfect pacing and electrifying world building....Honestly, this book only needs to be good enough to satisfy its legions of fans. Fortunately, it's great."

"Synopsis"
by Ingram,
New York Times-bestselling author Collins continues the amazing story of Katniss Everdeen, in this second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy.

"Synopsis"
by Ingram,
Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with Peeta Mellark. But it had been a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion.

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